Anton Kuerti, pianist ; Orford String Quartet

FACULTY OF MUSIC Ca
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO \ oe

ANTON KUERTI, PIANIST
ORFORD STRING QUARTET

Andrew Dawes, violin
QUARTET-IN-RESTDENCE 4 aneth Perkins, violin

Terrence Helmer, viola
Marcel St-Cyr, cello

THURSDAY SCHOLARSHIP CONCERT
CONCERT HALL, EDWARD JOHNSON BUILDING

NOVEMBER 22, 1973 aT 8:30 p.m,

Sonata’No.24 in F Pree major, op.78 Beethoven
Adagio cantabile; Allegro ma non troppo
ae vivace

Although ‘both movements of this short Sonata are allegros (the first
movement is Allegro ma non troppo and the last movement Allegro vivace)
they are in complete contrast with each other. Perhaps that explains

why no middle movement seemed necessary. The first movement is introduced
by a short, four-measure Adagio cantabile section. When the Allegro starts,
it continues in the same tranquil, introspective mood, so that one is hardly
aware of a tempo change. Only occasionally are there some exclamatory
passages, especially a sequence of three emphatic chords which may be
related to the main motive of the last movement. The last movement gives us
the first fleeting taste of what is to come in the late sonatas. While most
of the movement is still in the style of the middle period, a few passages
approach the ethereal, unconventional qualities of the sonatas yet to come.
The chirping sequences of rapid appogiaturas, the sudden but not: light- °
hearted changes from major to minor and back, the rapid shifts of register
in the third and fourth statements of the principal theme, and the haunting
harmony of the pianissimo chord preceeding the final outburst - these all
point the way ahead.

Fantasta in C major, op.17 Schumann
Sempre fantasticamente ed appassionatamente

_ Moderato - Sempre energico
Lento sostenuto e sempre piano

The Fantasia inc major was written originally as Schumann's contribution

to a fund raising project started by Liszt at the end of 1838 for the erectior
of a monument to Beethoven at Bonn. Schumann ‘intended to turn over 1 the -
subscription fund the proceeds from the sale of thi is compos’ which he
called then a ‘Grand Sonata for the Pianoforte. Since the Fé was
intended as a tribute to Beethoven, the first movement was labelled pS
the second, Triumphal Arch, and the third, A Starry Crown. But when the

piece was publi: shed by Breitkopf & Hartel, at was called Fa tasia in <a major,
op.) a, dedicated to Liszt, and the original title: of the three movements
were removed, Instead, we find the following en gmatic quotation from
Friedrich von Schlegel affixed by ae to the head of the score: Durch
alle Tine tbnet, Im bunten Erdentraum, | Ein leiser Toa gezogen, Fir den, _
der heimlich lauschet. (Through alt the tones that sound in earth's fit-

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ful dream, one gentle note is there for the secret listener.)
One key to this enigma has been furnished by Gerald Abraham who sees

a Close thematic resemblance between the first movement of the —
Fantasia and the s

te, An. die Fe rne
tenderness and roman .
er: "Durchaus phantasti

throughout). One can find in this opening movement faint traces of

rant and sixth song of Beethoven's song cycle
Geliebte. The first movement is a strange mixture of stark power,

and romantic legend. At its start, the composer wrote the
following direction to the performer: ‘isch und
tripartite structure: there is a strangely gaunt and bare first theme»
the dominant theme of the movement, and a beautifully melodious
contrasting theme. Both of these are presented regularly in the first

portion of the movement and are brought back in the last section. And

‘there is a broad middle section "im Legendenton" (in legendary

hs

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4
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character) which presents some d ifficult material. The movement ends
with an exquisite adagio which has an alegiac effect. The second
movement, in the key of E flat, is a splendid triumphal march in
modified rondo form which exceeds the finale of the Symphonic Etudes
in triumphant vigor. The recurring principal thematic idea is an
exhilarating one, brill jantly written for piano. The last movement
contrary to custom,is a long adagio, richly scored and exalted in
sentiment. It possesses an ethereal quality as well as an atmosphere
of peace after victory which makes ita perfect tribute to Beethoven's
memory. This Schumann Fantasia, a work of rarest beauty, is full

of such richness of melody and harmony, and so redol of passion,
poetry and imagination. that it must stand as one of Schumann's

greatest masterpieces.

Intermission
uintet in F minor for Piano and String Quartet Brahms
Allegro non troppo
Andante, un poco adagio
Scherzo View
‘Allegro non troppo, Presto

ne Piano Quintet, op.34 undoubtedly Brahms' most popular and in many
aspects his most important chamber work, is the result of such labour
idertaken at the behest of some of his musical advisors. It was_

ritten originally as a string quintet, the score of Which is unfor- 4

nately lost. At least three movements of this version were finished

in August, 1862, for Clara Schumann refers to it in a letter dated Sep-
tember 3 of that year. In November of the same year, in a letter to the
composer, Brahms' friend the violin virtuoso Joachim praises the work
highly but remarks that it is exceedingly difficult for the strings.

't was apparently this critism which prompted Brahms to recast the com-
position as a sonata for two pianos. The second version was finished in
February, 1864, and performed in April 1864. Brahms re-did the work in its
ultimate form as a quintet for piano and strings. The first movement, |
Allegro non troppo, five highly original and deeply moving thematic ideas
are welded by the hand of a master into one whole. Geiringer has accurately
remarked that "Despite its first expressive themes, this piece, whose
components are welded into a homogeneous form, contains barely 300 bars."
The statements of this movement are concise and to the point; their elab-
erations follow logically from each other. The second movement, Andante
un poco adagio, is in the manner of a romantic interlude. As a melody the
opening theme shows the influence of both Schubert and Beethoven; but in

, 1ts texture and the unfolding of the various motives from this theme, the
movement is clearly akin to Schumann. The third movement, the famous Scherzo
is unique. It is at once dramatic and mysterious. It cannot be compared to
either the dramatic scherzi of Beethoven or the boisterous ones of Bruckner.
The conciseness of structure is re-emphasized in this movement through
the relationship between scherzo and trio, which are contrasted in several
respects. The scherzo is in major, the trio in minor. The theme of the
scherzo is based on a rhythmic idea, that of the trio on an expanded |
melodic theme; yet close listening shows the remarkable fact that the
thematic material of the trio is actually a reconversion of that of the
scherzo. The finale, after a slow introduction, moves into a fast’ 7

_ Allegro non troppo whose main theme is inspired by a folk-like melody.

The work ends with a coda it Presto tempo which very successfully takes _
up some of the romantic ideas of the opening section of this movement, .
thus bring it full circle. > © -

"Next Scholarship Concert: December 6, 1973
John Hawkins, piano

Next Event: Saturday, November 24, 1973 J
University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra

at 8:30 p.m.